Cole Anthony’s move to Australia is the kind of decision that turns heads across the basketball world. The six-year NBA veteran told ESPN’s Olgun Uluc that signing with Melbourne United in the National Basketball League was about more than just a fresh start - it was about finding the right fit at 26, even if that makes him something of an exception.
“Yeah, it’s unprecedented to have players who are really in the prime of their career - I was a first-round (NBA) draft pick, been in the league six years now - to just up and leave,” Anthony said. “But I felt like this was the best path for my development as a whole; as a human being, but also as a basketball player.”
Uluc reported that Anthony’s one-year deal will make him the highest-paid import in Australia’s top league, but Anthony made clear that the contract figure wasn’t what pulled him there.
“For me, I was looking at it like: this is a very well-respected league, where I can come and potentially carve a path for myself back to the NBA,” Anthony explained. “It wasn’t a money play. I’m blessed enough to be in a position right now where that wasn’t the driving factor of this decision.
“At the same time, (former teammate) Joe (Ingles) is here, coach Jacob (Chance) is a dude who just came back from the NBA… so I can relate to him on some level with that. All things (considered) - way of living, no language barrier, coming to a place I’ve always wanted to come to since I was young; I’ve never been - I’m excited to get down there soon. I thought about it heavily, for a long time… and, alright, this feels right.”
Elsewhere on the international front, Pacers two-way player Ethan Thompson is expected to be waived by Indiana so he can sign a one-plus-one deal with Serbian club KK Partizan, according to reports from Nova.rs and Meridian Sport, via Eurohoops. Nothing has been made official yet by either side, but the move would solve an Indiana roster issue.
The Pacers have been expecting second-round pick Braden Smith to sign a two-way contract, and there isn’t currently an open slot. Letting Thompson go would create room for Smith alongside two-way players Jalen Slawson and Kobe Brown.
Türkiye’s preliminary roster for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers also has a familiar NBA feel. Sixers center Adem Bona, forward Cedi Osman, guard Furkan Korkmaz and center Omer Yurtseven are all on the list for games against Lithuania on August 28 and Iceland on Aug.
- But two prominent names are absent: Rockets center Alperen Sengun and new Mavericks wing Tarik Biberovic are not included.
And in NBA Europe news, The Athletic’s Jack Pitt-Brooke and Sam Joseph reported that the Lewis family, which owns a majority stake in Tottenham Hotspur, is among the potential bidders for a London team. American technology billionaire Nikesh Arora is also said to have interest in becoming the controlling owner of the league’s London club.
In Other News...
Pacers May Finally Have Room For The Summer Roster Favorite
Ethan Thompsons stint with the Pacers appears to be winding down, and his possible next stop could be overseas with Partizan Belgrade. Thompson spent last season on a two-way contract and got into 32 games for Indiana, while also bringing plenty of G League experience to the organization.
For the Pacers, the bigger significance is the roster math. A move like this would clear the logjam at the two-way level and give Indiana the flexibility to keep moving toward a final roster decision, with Braden Smith now positioned to potentially land either a standard deal or a two-way contract. [Read more 🡒]
Tyrese Haliburton Sets Early Expectations For Pacers Fit With Ivica Zubac
Tyrese Haliburton isnt worried about the lack of an offseason workout with Ivica Zubac, even as the Pacers look ahead to integrating a new big man into the mix. Haliburton said the two have not gotten on the floor together this summer, but he still sees the partnership as one that can work, with Zubac expected to come back to Indiana after playing for his country in September.
The bigger adjustment, Haliburton acknowledged, may come from simply learning a different kind of center than the ones he has played with before. Zubac brings a distinct style, which should mean a transition period early on, but Haliburton sounded confident the fit will come with time once the Pacers get everyone in the same place and the games start to matter. [Read more 🡒]